Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hope everyone is recovering from Christmas . . . but wait! New Year's Eve & the day is just around the corner, try like tomorrow and the next day after that! Oh, I think I have to recover TWICE!! Anyway, I made a card/project for my brother's surprise Yakudoshi (41st birthday).

"Bad luck ages are referred to as yakudoshi, with yaku meaning “calamity” or “calamitous” and doshi signifying “year(s).” These years are considered critical or dangerous because they are believed to bring bad luck or disaster.

For men, the ages 24 and 41 (or 25 and 42 in Japan) are deemed critical years, with 41 being especially critical. It is customary in these unlucky years to visit temples and shrines to provide divine protection from harm. In Hawai‘i, it has become a widespread tradition among men of Japanese ancestry to celebrate the 41st birthday with a festive yakudoshi party or gathering to ward off the bad luck or disaster that may strike. The birthday person should wear red to bring good health, vitality and long life.

The equivalent yakudoshi ages for women are 18 and 32 (19 and 33 in Japan), with 32 thought to be a particularly hard, terrible or disastrous year. Like the age 41 for men, precautions are taken to ward off bad luck, and some women in Hawai‘i celebrate their 32nd birthday with a special yakudoshi party."

The Japanese style is to keep everything simple. It's so hard to make something for a guy and be a bit masculine. It's even harder when I've tried to create a Japanese style card/project! I used Washi paper and the mizuhiki cord to create a butterfly. Just had to add it because I wanted to enter it in Danni's Flutter By Wednesday Challenge. Hopefully it's not too girly. :(

WOW WOW these are AWESOME, perfect for a guy you did an amazing job!!!!! I LOVE reading about others cultures and find this very interesting and VERY COOL!!! I sooo enjoyed reading your post, thanks for sharing...HE WILL LOVE THIS!!!!!

Love your Yakudoshi gifts! Your card for sure put mine to shame, lol! You are such a great sister for doing that for D and S. I know they appreciate you so much! It was really cool hanging with you guys too! Albert was saying that we should have you over for dinner one day and hang out. Have a great New Year!Hugs,Michelle

What a beautiful card and box. The butterfly is gorgeous and the colour scheme is perfect. Thanks for joining us at cupcake craft challenge and don't forget our new challenge starts on 4th Jan!. Hugs, Denise x

very cute card....you did an awesome job....i have become a follower and would love for you to join mine...hugsCJmy creator name isCowgirl Up Stampsstitchybearstamps.comhere is my blog addyhttp://stampenwithcj.blogspot.com/

Hi Mama,I was looking for Yakudoshi stuff and of course went on Google and surprised myself by finding your project!! How awesome!! Hope you are doing well. Miss seeing your creations. Take care and btw... this is AMAZING!! ;)

Allsorts Challenge _Buttons

Die Cuts R Us #20 Challenge ~ Naughty or Nice? Mine was "NICE"!

Whimsy Stamps Challenge ~ Nov. 2009 ~ Hula Anya

November 2009 ~ Hula Anya
{says "Christmas" Challenge}

LLWWC

November 2009 ~ Thankful Challenge

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